Take My Breath Away: Measuring Sugar Intake in Exhaled Air
The previous studies which report that high sugar consumption causes obesity or overweight mostly rely on self-reported sugar intake. Self-reported dietary measures are often found to be biased, not precise, as well as not accurate. Gunter GC Kuhnle published a summarized paper in the American Society of Nutrition under the title “Take My Breath Away: Measuring Sugar Intake in Exhaled Air”. The summary of this paper is given below:
Objective:
To discuss alternative for traditional tests that check sugar intake.
Method:
Studies conducted on stable isotope ratios that can be used in nutrition research were included along with practical clinal knowledge.
Findings:
Although stable isotope ratios are commonly used in many research investigations related to diet, they are remarkably absent from research into human nutrition. The outstanding data presented in past studies highlights wider use of stable isotope ratios, most important one is that long-term dietary intake can be measured in hair or nails, specimens that are easily accessible. It is found that stable carbon isotope ratios (CIRs, δ13C) are preferable as biomarkers of added sugar.
Analyzing CIR of exhaled carbon dioxide using cavity ringdown spectroscopy through a collection of breath samples was found to be strongly associated with added sugar intake. This test is easy and less time-consuming as compared to the complex process of blood sample collection, processing, and analysis. Unlike blood glucose testing, CIR takes into account the carbon dioxide derived from fat metabolism as well. Hence, this combination with the respiratory quotient could help to interpret the results better.
Limitation:
The major limitation of this approach as acknowledged by the author is that it depends on a food system where the main sources of added sugar and sugar in sugar-sweetened beverages are C4 plants i.e. corn and sugar cane. Hence, it can’t be used in countries where sugar is produced from other sources.
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